Question:

Catholics say that according John 2:1-11, the mother of Jesus not only interceded, but thanks to her intercession, Jesus Christ advanced the hour to show (to manifest) his glory and He was the Messiah.

Please address the following concerns:

1.-Is that true that thanks to Mary intercession, Jesus advanced the hour to show (to manifest) his glory and that He was the Messiah?

2.- Does some prophecy exist in the Old Testament related to the previous point besides that during the Cana wedding celebration wine would be abundant?.

3.- Did Mary intercede when she was alive in John 2:1-11?

4.-Did Mary receive a reprimand on the part of Jesus for wanting to interfere in his subjects (John 2:4)?

Answer:

The exchange between Mary and Jesus has been the source of endless discussions regarding what was actually meant. But let's put one thing into perspective, though Jesus did a miracle at the wedding feast, that miracle did not announce him to be the Messiah. Beyond Mary, the servants, and a few disciples no one knew what Jesus had done.

Even with the best of plans, things typically go amiss. Before the wedding feast ended, they ran out of wine for the guests. Mary must have been involved with the catering of the feast, for when they ran out, she brought it to the attention of her son. Why she told Jesus and what she expected of Jesus to do about the situation, if anything, is a topic of endless speculation. There is not enough information in the account to draw a conclusion. We only know that she knew he would do something to help because she told the servants to do as he asked.

Jesus’ response to Mary is not one of disrespect. He frequently addressed those of the female gender as “woman;” see Matthew 15:28; John 4:21; John 19:26; 20:13. Though it sounds harsh in the English language, Jesus is gently reproving his mother for attempting to direct what he would or would not do. What Jesus would do would come at its own time. It is a hard lesson that most parents must face when their children are grown that they can no longer be directed as the parent wishes.

Technically, the matter of food supplies is not a concern of guests such as Mary or himself. Nor was it time for Jesus’ claim to being the Messiah to be publicly demonstrated. Here then we learn that Mary’s request was more than it seems on the surface. Perhaps she was wanting him to declare himself, but Jesus rebukes her and says “not yet.” Still, Mary understood that Jesus was indicating that he would take some action in this matter. And Jesus, while giving aid, did so in an unobtrusive manner.

So did Mary bring a request to Jesus -- to intercede? The answer is yes. Does it appear that she thought this would be a good opportunity to show himself to be the Messiah? Again the answer appears to be yes. Did Jesus use this as an opportunity to show himself to be the Messiah? Here the answer is no. Did the miracle only occur because Mary asked? There is no way to tell. Does this mean that Mary had authority to direct Jesus' work, again the answer is clearly no. Jesus told her that she didn't have such authority.

You also asked if this fulfilled any prophecies. I don't know of any prophecy which hinted at the miracle at Cana.

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